Dual chamber blood reservoir

Abstract

A blood reservoir may be used in combination with other elements such as a heart lung machine (HLM), oxygenator, heat exchanger, arterial filter and the like to form an extracorporeal blood circuit that may be employed in a procedure such as a bypass procedure. The blood reservoir may be configured to receive, filter and store blood from a number of sources including vent blood (from within the heart), venous blood (from a major vein), purge blood (from a sampling line) and cardiotomy or suction blood (from the surgical field).

Parent Case Text

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/668,933 filed Mar. 25, 2015, which is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/181,688, filed Jul. 13, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,011,769, issued Apr. 21, 2015, which claims priority to European Patent Application 11173655.9, filed Jul. 12, 2011, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to blood reservoirs for oxygenators used in blood perfusion systems.

BACKGROUND

Blood perfusion involves encouraging blood through the vessels of the body. For such purposes, blood perfusion systems typically include the use of one or more pumps in an extracorporeal circuit that is interconnected with the vascular system of a patient. Many surgical procedures require or prefer temporary cessation of the heart to create a still operating field. Such procedures may thus rely upon a cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) perfusion system that temporarily replaces the function of the heart and lungs. Examples of such procedures include the surgical correction of vascular stenosis, valvular disorders, and congenital heart defects. In perfusion systems used for cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, an extracorporeal blood circuit is established that includes at least one pump and an oxygenation device to replace the functions of the heart and lungs, respectively.

More specifically, in cardiopulmonary bypass procedures, oxygen-poor blood (i.e., venous blood) is gravity-drained or vacuum-suctioned from a large vein entering the heart or another major vein in the body (e.g., femoral) and is transferred through a venous line in the extracorporeal circuit. The venous blood is pumped to an oxygenator that provides for oxygen transfer to the blood. Oxygen may be introduced into the blood by, for example, transfer across a membrane. Concurrently, carbon dioxide is removed across the membrane. The oxygenated blood is filtered and then returned through an arterial line to the aorta, femoral, or other artery.

In many cases, an extracorporeal blood circuit includes a blood reservoir that can be used to collect, filter and de-aerate blood from a variety of different sources. For example, a blood reservoir may receive one or more of venous blood from a large vein, vent blood that is collected within the heart and cardiotomy or suction blood that is collected from outside the heart but within the surgical field.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to a blood reservoir that may be used in combination with other elements such as a heart lung machine (HLM), oxygenator, heat exchanger, arterial filter and the like to form an extracorporeal blood circuit. The blood reservoir, as will be described in greater detail herein, may be configured to receive, filter and store blood from a number of sources including vent blood (from within the heart), venous blood (from a major vein), purge blood (from a sampling line) and cardiotomy or suction blood (from within the surgical field). Example 1 is a dual chamber blood reservoir including an activated section and a non-activated section. The non-activated, or clean, section includes an elongate filter and a foamer that is disposed about an upper region of the elongate filter. A purgers funnel extends downwardly through the cylindrical foamer and includes a conical upper portion, a cylindrical lower portion and an intervening central portion. A venous inlet tube extends downwardly through the cylindrical lower portion of the purgers funnel to a position that is proximate a bottom surface of the elongate filter. A vent inlet tube extends downwardly through an aperture formed within the central portion of the purgers funnel to a position that is proximate the bottom surface of the elongate filter.

In Example 2, the dual chamber blood reservoir of Example 1 in which blood that exits the cylindrical lower portion of the purgers funnel is able to slide down the exterior surface of the venous inlet tube.

In Example 3, the dual chamber blood reservoir of Example 1 or 2 in which the central portion of the purgers funnel includes a first aperture that is configured to accommodate the vent inlet tube passing therethrough.

In Example 4, the dual chamber blood reservoir of any of Examples 1, 2 or 3, further including a second vent inlet tube that extends downwardly to a position that is proximate the bottom of the elongate filter.

In Example 5, the dual chamber blood reservoir of Example 4, wherein the central portion of the purgers funnel includes a second aperture that is configured to accommodate the second vent inlet tube, the first and second apertures being radially spaced apart about 180 degrees.

In Example 6, the dual chamber blood reservoir of any of Examples 1 to 5, further including a plurality of purge ports that are in fluid communication with the conical upper portion of the purgers funnel.

In Example 7, the dual chamber blood reservoir of any of Examples 1 to 6 in which the activated section includes a suction blood filter assembly including a cylindrical suction blood filter and a defoamer layer that is disposed about the cylindrical suction blood filter.

In Example 8, the dual chamber blood reservoir of any of Examples 1 to 7, further including a releasable barrier between the activated section and the non-activated section, the releasably barrier configured to be released to permit blood within the activated section to enter the non-activated section in a situation requiring additional blood.

In Example 9, the dual chamber blood reservoir of Example 8, further including a porous media disposed to dissipate velocity in blood flowing from the activated section to the non-activated section.

Example 10 is a dual chamber blood reservoir having a housing and a cover spanning the housing. A first vent port and a second vent port each extend through the cover. A venous port extends through the cover. A purgers port extends through the cover. The blood reservoir includes a purgers funnel that has an upper portion, a lower portion and an intervening central portion. The upper portion is in fluid communication with the purgers port. A first vent tube is in fluid communication with the first vent port and extends externally to the lower portion of the purgers funnel to a position near a lower surface of the housing. A second vent tube is in fluid communication with the second vent port and extends externally to the lower portion of the purgers funnel to a position near the lower surface of the housing. A venous tube is in fluid communication with the venous port and extends within the purgers funnel to a position near the lower surface of the housing.

In Example 11, the dual chamber blood reservoir of Example 10 in which the first vent tube extends downwardly within the upper portion of the purgers funnel and passes to an exterior of the purgers funnel through a first aperture formed in the central portion of the purgers funnel.

In Example 12, the dual chamber blood reservoir of Example 10 or 11 in which the first vent tube extends downwardly within the upper portion of the purgers funnel and passes to an exterior of the purgers funnel through a first aperture formed in the central portion of the purgers funnel.

In Example 13, the dual chamber blood reservoir of any of Examples 10 to 12, further including an elongate filter disposed within the housing such that the vent tubes and the venous tube extend downwardly through the elongate filter.

In Example 14, the dual chamber blood reservoir of Example 13 in which the elongate filter has a lower surface that is disposed near the lower surface of the housing.

In Example 15, the dual chamber blood reservoir of any of Examples 10 to 14, further including a plurality of purgers ports that pass through the cover and that are in fluid communication the upper portion of the purgers funnel.

Example 16 is a blood reservoir having a housing and a filtering assembly disposed within the housing. The housing has a top, a bottom, a venous inlet, a vent inlet and a purgers inlet. The filtering assembly extends from near the top of the housing to near the bottom of the housing. The filtering assembly includes a support structure, a filter membrane disposed about the support structure and a defoamer that is disposed about the filter membrane. The filtering assembly includes a purgers funnel that is in fluid communication with the purgers inlet and that extends downwardly within the filter membrane. The filtering assembly includes a venous tube that is in fluid communication with the venous inlet and that extends through an interior of the purgers funnel to a location near a bottom surface of the filtering assembly. The filtering assembly also includes a vent tube that is in fluid communication with the vent inlet and that extends partially through an interior of the purgers funnel and partially exterior to the purgers funnel to a location near the bottom surface of the filtering assembly.

In Example 17, the blood reservoir of Example 16 in which the venous tube and the vent tube extend downwardly within an interior space of the filter membrane.

In Example 18, the blood reservoir of Example 16 or 17 in which the purgers inlet includes a plurality of purgers ports.

Example 19 is an extracorporeal blood circuit that includes a heart lung machine, an oxygenator, a sampling line downstream of the oxygenator and a blood reservoir. The blood reservoir includes a vent blood inlet, a venous blood inlet and a purgers port configured to accept blood from the sampling line. The blood reservoir is configured to accommodate blood from the sampling line without causing excessive gaseous microembolic activity within the blood from the sampling line.

In Example 20, the extracorporeal blood circuit of Example 19 in which the blood reservoir includes a purgers funnel that is in fluid communication with the purgers port, with the venous blood inlet extending downwardly through an interior of the purgers funnel such that blood from the sampling line is permitted to flow downwardly along an exterior surface of the venous blood inlet.

While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an extracorporeal blood circuit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially cross-sectioned perspective view of a blood reservoir in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the blood reservoir of FIG. 2.

FIG. 3B is a partially cross-sectioned perspective view of a blood reservoir in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view of the blood reservoir of FIG. 3B.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a purgers funnel in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a filtering assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the filtering assembly of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of the filtering assembly of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a filtering assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an extracorporeal blood circuit 10. As illustrated, the extracorporeal blood circuit 10 includes an HLM 12, an oxygenator 14, a sampling device 16 and a blood reservoir 18. The HLM 12 is in fluid communication with a patient 20 and as such can receive blood from the patient 20 and moreover can return blood and other fluids to the patient 20. The sampling device 16 may be a port or similar structure that permits blood to be withdrawn from the extracorporeal blood circuit 10 for lab work and/or additional testing done in the surgical arena. Blood in the sampling device 16 may flow into the blood reservoir 18 through a sampling line 22.

FIG. 2 is a partially cross-sectioned perspective view of a blood reservoir 24 that may be used as the blood reservoir 18 in the extracorporeal blood circuit 10 of FIG. 1. The blood reservoir 24 includes a clean (i.e., non-activated) section 26 and a dirty (i.e., activated) section 28. In this, "clean" and "dirty" are relative terms pertaining to an expected level of solid particles or air bubbles within the blood entering each section. For example, vent blood and venous blood, which are usually fairly clean, may be processed within the non-activated section 26, while suction blood, which tends to contain relatively more debris, may be processed within the activated section 28.

As shown in FIG. 2, the blood reservoir 24 includes a housing 30 and a cover 32. A number of blood inlets, as will be described, extend through or are otherwise disposed within the cover 32. The housing 30 includes a blood outlet 34 that may, in some embodiments, be in fluid communication with the HLM 12. The housing 30 tapers to a bottom 46. The cover 32 accommodates a venous inlet port 36, one or more vent inlet ports 38 (only one is visible in this view) and a purgers inlet 40 having one or more purgers ports 42. The cover 32 also accommodates a suction inlet 44. In some embodiments, one or more of the venous inlet port 36, the vent inlet port(s) 38, the purgers inlet 40 or the suction inlet 44 may pass through the cover 32 such that they can rotate relative to the cover 32.

As shown, the non-activated section 26 includes a filtering assembly 48, while the activated section 28 includes a filtering/defoaming assembly 50. FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2 and provides greater detail pertaining to the filtering assembly 48 and the filtering/defoaming assembly 50. The blood reservoir 24 includes a movable or releasable valve 52 that, when in place as illustrated, keeps blood within the activated section 28 from entering the non-activated section 26. In some cases, there may be a need for more blood than is available from the non-activated section 26 and thus the valve 52 may be lifted, rotated or otherwise moved to permit blood to pass from the activated section 28 to the non-activated section 26.

In some embodiments, the housing 30 may include a shield 54 that directs blood from the activated section 28 towards the bottom 46. The shield 54 may be shaped and positioned to minimize turbulence within the blood flow. While relative blood levels may vary during use in the non-activated section 26 and the activated section 28 (when the valve 52 is closed), in some embodiments, the blood level within the non-activated section 26, indicated by a line 56, may be relatively lower than the blood level within the activated section 28, as indicated by a line 58. In some embodiments, the blood level within the non-activated section 26 may instead be higher than the blood level within the activated section 28.

In the activated section 28, the suction filtering/defoaming assembly 50 includes several components. Blood from the suction inlet 44 may pass into a collection funnel 60 and may then slide or otherwise flow down a diverter 62 that is configured to minimize turbulence in the blood flow. The blood then passes through a cylindrical filter 64 and a defoamer 66 that is disposed about the cylindrical filter 64. Blood thus filtered then collects within the activated section 28, where it is stored until it is either needed or subsequently discarded through an exit port 68.

In the non-activated section 26, the filtering assembly 48 includes several components, not all of which are visible in FIG. 3A. The filtering assembly 48 includes an elongate cylindrical filter 70 having a lower surface 72. A venous inlet tube 74 that is in fluid communication with the venous inlet port 36 extends downwardly through an interior of the elongate cylindrical filter 70 and terminates at a position that is near the lower surface 72 of the elongate cylindrical filter 70. A cylindrical defoamer 76 is disposed about an upper region of the elongate cylindrical filter 70.

The filtering assembly 48 also includes a purgers funnel 78 that extends downwardly through the cylindrical defoamer 76 and into the elongate cylindrical filter 70. The purgers funnel 78 is in fluid communication with the purgers inlet 40. The venous inlet tube 74 extends downwardly through the purgers funnel 78. In some embodiments, the venous inlet tube 74 has an outer diameter that is less than an inner diameter of the purgers funnel 78 such that purgers blood collected within the purgers funnel 78 may exit the purgers funnel 78 by sliding down an exterior of the venous inlet tube 74. In some embodiments, this reduces turbulence in the flow of purgers blood, thereby reducing or even eliminating the formation of gaseous microembolic activity in the purgers blood. In some embodiments, the purgers funnel 78 may include fingers (not shown) that form an interference fit with the exterior of the venous inlet tube 74 yet permit blood to flow down the exterior of the venous inlet tube 74. In some embodiments, any entrained air within the blood in the non-activated section 26 may travel up into the cylindrical defoamer 76.

FIG. 3B is a partially cross-sectioned perspective view blood reservoir 25 that may be used as the blood reservoir 18 in the extracorporeal blood circuit 10 of FIG. 1. In some embodiments, the blood reservoir 25 is similar in at least some constructional aspects to the blood reservoir 24, and thus similar elements share reference numbers therebetween. The blood reservoir 25 includes a clean (i.e., non-activated) section 26 and a dirty (i.e., activated) section 28. In this, "clean" and "dirty" are relative terms pertaining to an expected level of solid particles or air bubbles within the blood entering each section. For example, vent blood and venous blood, which are usually fairly clean, may be processed within the non-activated section 26, while suction blood, which tends to contain relatively more debris, may be processed within the activated section 28.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the blood reservoir 25 includes a housing 30 and a cover 32. A number of blood inlets, as will be described, extend through or are otherwise disposed within the cover 32. The housing 30 includes a blood outlet 34 that may, in some embodiments, be in fluid communication with the HLM 12. The housing 30 tapers to a bottom 46. The cover 32 accommodates a venous inlet port 36, one or more vent inlet ports 38 (only one is visible in this view) and a purgers inlet 40 having one or more purgers ports 42. The cover 32 also accommodates a suction inlet 44. In some embodiments, one or more of the venous inlet port 36, the vent inlet port(s) 38, the purgers inlet 40 or the suction inlet 44 may pass through the cover 32 such that they can rotate relative to the cover 32. As shown, the non-activated section 26 includes a filtering assembly 48, while the activated section 28 includes a filtering/defoaming assembly 50.

FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3'-3' of FIG. 3B and provides greater detail pertaining to the filtering assembly 48 and the filtering/defoaming assembly 50. The blood reservoir 25 includes a movable or releasable valve 52 that, when in place as illustrated, keeps blood within the activated section 28 from entering the non-activated section 26. In some cases, there may be a need for more blood than is available from the non-activated section 26 and thus the valve 52 may be lifted, rotated or otherwise moved to permit blood to pass from the activated section 28 to the non-activated section 26.

In some embodiments, the housing 30 may include a shield 55 that directs blood from the activated section 28 towards the bottom 46. The shield 55 may be shaped and positioned to minimize turbulence within the blood flow. In some embodiments, as illustrated, the shield 55 may include a frame portion 57 and a porous media portion 59. The frame portion 57 supports the porous media portion 59 and helps to anchor the shield 55 within the housing 30. The porous media portion 59 slows blood passing through the shield 55.

While relative blood levels may vary during use in the non-activated section 26 and the activated section 28 (when the barrier 52 is closed), in some embodiments, the blood level within the non-activated section 26, indicated by a line 56, may be relatively lower than the blood level within the activated section 28, as indicated by a line 58. In some embodiments, the blood level within the non-activated section 26 may instead be higher than the blood level within the activated section 28.

In the activated section 28, the suction filtering/defoaming assembly 50 includes several components. Blood from the suction inlet 44 may pass into a collection funnel 60 and may then slide or otherwise flow down a diverter 62 that is configured to minimize turbulence in the blood flow. The blood then passes through a cylindrical filter 64 and a defoamer 66 that is disposed about the cylindrical filter 64. Blood thus filtered then collects within the activated section 28, where it is stored until it is either needed or subsequently discarded through an exit port 68. In some embodiments, blood stored within the activated section 28 may be released into the non-activated section 26 by opening the valve 52.

In the non-activated section 26, the filtering assembly 48 includes several components, not all of which are visible in FIG. 3A. The filtering assembly 48 includes an elongate cylindrical filter 70 having a lower surface 72. A venous inlet tube 74 that is in fluid communication with the venous inlet port 36 extends downwardly through an interior of the elongate cylindrical filter 70 and terminates at a position that is near the lower surface 72 of the elongate cylindrical filter 70. A cylindrical defoamer 76 is disposed about an upper region of the elongate cylindrical filter 70.

The filtering assembly 48 also includes a purgers funnel 78 that extends downwardly through the cylindrical defoamer 76 and into the elongate cylindrical filter 70. The purgers funnel 78 is in fluid communication with the purgers inlet 40. The venous inlet tube 74 extends downwardly through the purgers funnel 78. In some embodiments, the venous inlet tube 74 has an outer diameter that is less than an inner diameter of the purgers funnel 78 such that purgers blood collected within the purgers funnel 78 may exit the purgers funnel 78 by sliding down an exterior of the venous inlet tube 74. In some embodiments, this reduces turbulence in the flow of purgers blood, thereby reducing or even eliminating the formation of gaseous microembolic activity in the purgers blood. In some embodiments, the purgers funnel 78 may include fingers (not shown) that form an interference fit with the exterior of the venous inlet tube 74 yet permit blood to flow down the exterior of the venous inlet tube 74. In some embodiments, any entrained air within the blood in the non-activated section 26 may travel up into the cylindrical defoamer 76.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the purgers funnel 78. In the illustrated embodiment, the purgers funnel 78 includes an upper portion 80, a lower portion 82 and a tapered central portion 84 between the upper portion 80 and the lower portion 82. In some embodiments, the upper portion 80 may be conical or otherwise tapered in shape. In some cases, the lower portion 82 may be cylindrical in shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the central portion 84 of the purgers funnel 78 includes a first aperture 86 and a second aperture 88. The first aperture 86 and the second aperture 88 may be configured to permit first and second vent tubes (illustrated in a subsequent Figure) to pass therethrough. In some embodiments, the first aperture 86 and the second aperture 88 may be radially spaced about 180 degrees apart.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the filtering assembly 48. The filtering assembly 48 includes, as shown in FIG. 3A, the elongate cylindrical filter 70 and the cylindrical defoamer 76. The elongate cylindrical filter 70 includes a filter membrane 90 and a support structure 92. As illustrated, the filter membrane 90 is disposed inside of the support structure 92. In some embodiments, the filter membrane 90 may instead be disposed about the support structure 92. The support structure 92 may provide sufficient support to the filter membrane 90 to hold the filter membrane 90 in a desired configuration against the fluid pressures to which the filter membrane 90 may be exposed during operation of the blood reservoir 24.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5 and illustrates a blood flow path for purgers blood. As indicated by arrows 94, purge blood may enter the blood reservoir 24 through the purgers ports 42. The purgers blood then travels down through the purgers funnel 78 as indicated by arrows 96, and exits through a bottom 98 of the purgers funnel 78. As indicated by arrows 100, the blood then slides or otherwise flows down the exterior surface of the venous inlet tube 74.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of the filtering assembly 48, illustrating the venous inlet tube 74, a first vent tube 102 and a second vent tube 104. The venous inlet tube 74, the first vent tube 102 and the second vent tube 104 extend downwardly from the cover 32 through an interior of the elongate cylindrical filter 70. As shown in FIG. 4, the first vent tube 102 may pass through the first aperture 86 and the second vent tube 104 may pass through the second aperture 88. The first vent tube 102 may be considered as extending within the purgers funnel 78 above the first aperture 86 but exterior to the purgers funnel 78 below the first aperture 86. Similarly, the second vent tube 104 may be considered as extending within the purgers funnel 78 above the second aperture 88 but exterior to the purgers funnel 78 below the second aperture 88. In some embodiments, the venous inlet tube 74, the first vent tube 102 and the second vent tube 104 each extend downwardly to a position that is proximate or near to the lower surface 72 of the elongate cylindrical filter 70. As a result, in some embodiments, turbulence and resulting blood cell damage may be reduced or eliminated.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the filtering/defoaming assembly 50. In some embodiments, the filtering/defoaming assembly 50 includes a plastic frame 150 that supports the filtering/defoaming assembly 50 and provides the filtering/defoaming assembly 50 with an annular or ovoid shape. A foam cylinder such as a polyurethane foam cylinder 152 is disposed within the plastic frame 150 and at least partially defines an internal sliding surface 154. An outer surface of the foam cylinder 152 is at least partially wrapped in a polyester felt 156. In some embodiments, the polyester felt 156 has a pore size of about 40 microns.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, while the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the above described features.

Claims

The following is claimed:

1. An extracorporeal blood circuit comprising: a heart lung machine; an oxygenator; a sampling line downstream of the oxygenator; and a blood reservoir including a first vent blood inlet, a venous blood inlet, a purgers port for accepting blood from the sampling line, and a purgers funnel in fluid communication with the purgers port, wherein the venous blood inlet extends downwardly through an interior of the purgers funnel, the purgers funnel being configured to permit the blood from the sampling line to exit the purgers funnel and flow downwardly along an exterior surface of the venous blood inlet; wherein the blood reservoir is configured to accommodate blood from the sampling line and reducing gaseous microembolic activity within the blood from the sampling line.

2. The extracorporeal blood circuit of claim 1, further comprising a defoamer disposed such that the purgers funnel extends through the defoamer and at least part of the purgers funnel extends below the defoamer.

3. The extracorporeal blood circuit of claim 1, wherein the purgers funnel has an upper portion, a lower portion and an intervening central portion, wherein the upper portion of the purgers funnel is in fluid communication with the purgers port.

4. The extracorporeal blood circuit of claim 3, comprising a venous tube in fluid communication with the venous blood inlet and extending within the purgers funnel, such that the lower portion of the purgers funnel is configured to extend alongside a portion of the venous tube.

5. The extracorporeal blood circuit of claim 4, wherein the lower portion of the purgers funnel has an inner diameter that is greater than an outer diameter of the venous tube such that blood exiting the purgers funnel slides down an exterior surface of the venous tube.

6. The extracorporeal blood circuit of claim 5, comprising an elongate filter disposed such that the venous tube extends downwardly inside the elongate filter.

7. The extracorporeal blood circuit of claim 6, comprising a reservoir housing and wherein the elongate filter extends to near a lower surface of the reservoir housing.

8. The extracorporeal blood circuit of claim 3, comprising a first vent tube in fluid communication with the first vent blood inlet and extending external to the lower portion of the purgers funnel, wherein the first vent tube extends downwardly within the upper portion of the purgers funnel and passes to an exterior thereof through a first aperture formed in the central portion of the purgers funnel.

9. The extracorporeal blood circuit of claim 8, comprising a second vent blood inlet and a second vent tube in fluid communication with the second vent blood inlet and extending external to the lower portion of the purgers funnel, wherein the second vent tube extends downwardly within the upper portion of the purgers funnel and passes to an exterior thereof through a second aperture formed in the central portion of the purgers funnel.

10. An extracorporeal blood circuit comprising: a heart lung machine; an oxygenator; a sampling line downstream of the oxygenator; and a blood reservoir including: a vent blood inlet; a venous blood inlet; a purgers port for accepting blood from the sampling line; a purgers funnel having an upper portion, a lower portion and an intervening central portion, the upper portion in fluid communication with the purgers port; and a defoamer situated so the purgers funnel extends through the defoamer and at least part of the lower portion of the purgers funnel extends below the defoamer.

11. The extracorporeal blood circuit of claim 10, wherein the venous blood inlet extends downwardly through an interior of the purgers funnel and the purgers funnel is configured to permit the blood from the sampling line to flow downwardly along an exterior surface of the venous blood inlet.

12. The extracorporeal blood circuit of claim 10, comprising a releasable barrier, wherein the blood reservoir includes an activated section and a non-activated section, and the releasable barrier is situated between the activated section and the non-activated section and configured to be released to permit blood within the activated section to enter the non-activated section in a situation requiring additional blood.

13. The extracorporeal blood circuit of claim 12, wherein the non-activated section comprises an elongate filter.

14. The extracorporeal blood circuit of claim 12, comprising a porous media disposed to dissipate velocity of blood flowing from the activated section to the non-activated section.